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Coppa Italia Preview: Roma v Lazio

Italian football turns its attention to Rome on Sunday as Roma and Lazio square off in what should be a highly charged Coppa Italia final.

Both the Rome clubs had disappointing Serie A campaigns, with Roma finishing sixth and Lazio a point behind in seventh.

The two clubs missed out on a spot in the UEFA Europa League with their league positions but can seal a berth in the competition with a win in the cup final.

Vladimir Petkovic's Lazio have won three of the past four encounters between the sides but there was not much between them in their two league meetings this season.

Lazio took a 3-2 win back in November before a 1-1 draw in April - and both matches had their fair share of flashpoints.

Lazio's Stefano Mauri was sent off in the November encounter, along with Roma's Daniele De Rossi, while Lazio defender Giuseppe Biava was given his marching orders when the sides clashed last month.

Roma will be boosted by the return of veteran Francesco Totti, with the 36-year-old - who has scored 12 Serie A goals this term - suspended for their last league game of the season, a 2-1 win over Napoli.

By contrast Lazio went down 1-0 to Cagliari, and will face an anxious wait for news on the fitness of Brazilian playmaker Hernanes, who missed that match with a muscle injury.

Stefan Radu and Bruno Pereirinha are also both under injury clouds ahead of the final.

While Totti's inclusion will be a bonus for Aurelio Andreazzoli, he will be sweating on the fitness of De Rossi, Federico Balzaretti, Marquinhos and Maarten Stekelenburg - who all missed out against Napoli.